A distracted truck driver is a dangerous hazard on the road. Trucks are enormous vehicles, and a collision with one can change your life forever. Serious accidents are far more common when commercial drivers stop paying attention to the roads.
If you suspect that you have sustained harm as a result of driver negligence, meet with an experienced truck accident attorney for help with distracted driving truck accidents in Huntsville. Holding negligent truck drivers and the companies they work for responsible can be difficult, but our skilled legal team could help you pursue compensation for your losses.
The Types of Distractions Faced by Truckers on the Road
Truck drivers face three general categories of distractions: visual, physical, and mental. Each type of distraction can dramatically impact a truck driver’s ability to operate their large commercial vehicle. Even a momentary distraction can be enough to lead to a crash. Looking away from the road or briefly taking one’s hands off the wheel are forms of distracted driving, which can be all it takes to cause a truck accident in Huntsville.
Visual Distractions
Visual distractions are the most common types of negligent behaviour in distracted driver accidents. They can involve anything that draws a driver’s visual attention away from the road, even momentarily. Some examples include reading a text message or watching a video. Visual distractions are dangerous because road conditions can change in an instant. Given the high speeds at which trucks usually travel, truck drivers cannot react in time to avoid oncoming hazards when distracted.
Physical Distractions
A physical distraction is something that causes a driver to take one or both hands off the wheel. It might include grooming, eating, or reaching for an item in the passenger seat. Maintaining control of a large commercial vehicle is challenging under the best of circumstances, but especially when a driver uses their hands for some other purpose.
Mental Distractions
Mental distractions, such as daydreaming and getting lost in conversation, increase the chances of a road collision because they pull a truck driver’s attention away from driving. Mental distractions can lead to slower reaction times, making it very difficult for a truck driver to come to a complete stop when traffic slows.
What Damages Are Available After a Distracted Driver Truck Accident?
For negligent driving truck collisions in Huntsville, you may be entitled to two broad categories of compensation: economic damages and non-economic damages. Our attorneys could answer your questions and help you understand what your case could be worth.
Economic damages are in place to help you recover from the financial losses sustained by a truck collision. They cover recoverable losses, such as medical bills or lost wages. As these damages are objective losses, documents such as medical bills or repair invoices can be used to determine the true value of your claim.
Non-economic damages are not so specific. They cover the physical and emotional losses caused by an accident. If your case is successful, you could recover damages based on your emotional distress or physical pain.
Talk to a Huntsville Attorney for Legal Help With Your Distracted Driving Truck Accident Case
The prospect of pursuing legal action against a truck driver or other liable parties in a negligent driving case can feel daunting, but our skilled lawyers could guide you through the legal process. Our firm has a strong track record of success when it comes to dealing with distracted driving truck accidents in Huntsville. Contact our trusted legal team today to discuss what happened to you.